MINEVILLE — Fourth downs can be a game changer. A good kick or a bad handle can turn a field position in a moment’s notice.
“Coaches always press us to go at every play 100 percent,” Moriah’s Kohin Sargent said. “Never take a play off because you never know what can happen.”
That’s exactly what the Vikings did in a 22-14 victory over Beekmantown on Friday at Linney Field.
All throughout the game Moriah faced fourth down. Twice on defense they stopped conversion attempts, once they recovered a muffed punt and even converted a fourth down themselves.
Sargent, who was the recipient of a Dane Spring 18 yard pass said it was a play they knew might be available as the Eagles left that part of the field open.
“We saw on film that it might be open against us, but you never know how things teams change, and we punted the first time and saw that it was there,” Vikings’ head coach Casey Nephew said. “We kind of were in the middle of the field, and said we might as well go get a shot. Especially since our defense was playing pretty well, So we figured to take a shot, and if didn't work, then our defense is on the field.”
It worked out and Moriah kept working the field, ending up with quarterback Joey Kazlo scored from one yard out and then again on the two-point conversion to send the teams to the break with the Vikings up 14-0.
The second half started with Beekmantown scoring when Noah Corrado caught a 15 yard pass from Keller Crucetti to cut the deficit in half.
The Vikings responded with a 12 play drive culminating with Skyler Frasier scoring from two yards out to start the fourth quarter.
Frasier admitted his time to shine comes in the second half as by time they hit the third quarter, “I’ve hit everyone and they know what’s coming,” he said.
Late in the third, and most of the fourth quarter, Moriah implemented the Wildcat, letting Frasier take the direct snap and run the ball. Kazlo joked that for him it’s a blessing because he would just stand as a receiver and watch the play unfold.
“It’s something I’ve always enjoyed,” Frasier said. “They know I’m getting the ball, everyone knows it. So, let’s just tighten the chinstraps and get at it. That’s my kind of football.”
“Skyler, and all the guys that came with us from Ti have been great and they fit right in,” Nephew said. “I was joking earlier and said it’s nice that we can get Joey’s speed out on the edge and throw to him in pass patterns if need to. But, Skyler is a tough kid and the Wildcat is his thing. He loves it.”
Nephew also called the win bittersweet as the game also meant the final game at Linney Field for a number of Moriah players, a field many have played on for a long time.
“I’ve played at Linney since PAL Football,” Kazlo said. “It feels like I’ve grown up here playing football on this field. It’s a special place to play and I’ll always have memories of playing here.”
—
Moriah 22, Beekmantown 14
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BCS;0;0;7;7;-;14
Scoring Summary
First Quarter
M- Sargent 5 pass from Kazlo (Conversion failed) 5:40
Second Quarter
M- Kazlo 1 run (Kazlo run) 2:22
Third Quarter
B- Corrado 15 pass from Crucetti (Rankin kick) 6:04
Fourth Quarter
M- Frasier 2 run (Frasier run) 11:55
B- Pelkey 4 pass from Crucetti (Rankin kick) :14
Individual Statistics
Rushing
M- Frasier 21-71, TD. Kazlo 5-16, TD. Hughes 2-1, Mandy 7-17, Chappell 1-(-2) Team 2-(-1) TOTALS: 38-102, 2 TD
B- LaPier 16-29. Crucetti 8-(-6), Rankin 2-6. Team 1-(-1). TOTALS: 27-28
Passing
M- Kazlo 5-7-0-30, TD. Spring 1-1-0-18
B- Crucetti 12-17-1-165, 2 TD
Receiving
M- Sargent - 3-35, TD. Mandy 1-4, Hughes 1-1, McGinness 1-11
B- Pelkey 6-74, TD. Corrado 5-83, TD. Rankin 1-8
Interceptions
M- Sargent